Drawing Closer to God

Yesterday we focused on how we can draw closer to God.  We studied two examples from Acts 18 and Acts 19, where some disciples needed a little bit of guidance to draw closer to God.  We noticed that we may have a different amount of understanding of the word of God and that sometimes correction is necessary to guide us in the right way.
The notes of our study are below.

October 17, 2011

Drawing Closer to God

Opening Question: Think of a situation when you did something wrong or did not do something completely in the right way.  What was it and how did you correct it?

We often make mistakes and correction is necessary from parents, relatives, friends, teachers or coworkers.

Today, we’ll see a situation when some of the disciples of Jesus needed a little bit of correction in their understanding of the Word of God.

In Acts 18:24-26, we read about Apollos:  24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Where was Apollos in his relationship with God?  How far or close to God was he?

Do we have any “Apollos” today?

How should our approach be toward them?

In verse 26 we read that Priscilla and Aquila invited Apollos to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.  They carried out this necessary explanation in private, by showing love and hospitality and in a gentle way, for the purpose of correction, not embarrassment or humiliation.

In Acts 19:1-7, we read about another situation when some disciples needed to be guided in the right path: 1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”  They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”  3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”  “John’s baptism,” they replied.  4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”  5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.  7 There were about twelve men in all.

These disciples had not heard about the Holy Spirit and had received only John’s baptism.

In Mark 1:4-8, we read that John the Baptist preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins:  4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.  6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.  7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.  8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

In verse 8, John said that he baptizes you with water, but He [Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Paul explains them the truth and they are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Then, they receive the Holy Spirit and the power to do miracles.

In Acts 2:37-41, we read about the true baptism in the name of Jesus Christ: 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”  41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Conclusions

We may have a different amount of understanding of the word of God and sometimes correction is necessary in guiding us in the right way.  We need to draw nearer to God and to learn the correct way in which we can approach Him.